It has been the pleasure of Nuance Galleries to host several shows with the artist, Keith Martin Johns. Through the years we have been excited to experience the delight of those that view Keith’s work. Keith’s ability to transfer his vision of Florida’s beautiful colors and textures using oil and canvas to create flowing riverscapes, spectacular sunsets, and native wildlife is a rare talent, and inspires us all.

         Johns Bio - Keith Martin Johns was born on March 11, 1954 in Englewood, Florida. Growing up on Lemon Bay, on the west coast of Florida, influenced his life and left an indelible mark upon his work. Because of that, simple pleasures and simplistic things have always inspired this Florida Cracker artist. As a third generation Floridian, Keith captures the pulse of the natural beauty of Florida. From growing up in the state, he paints from past perspective; however, he paints Florida as it is today. Because Florida has seen such immense change due to its rapid growth many of his paintings are historical in capturing the real Florida. Keith has traveled up and down many of Florida’s rivers gathering ideas for his paintings.

Further perspectives on Florida from Keith Martin Johns:
“My grandparents hosted many a picnic on their front lawn that overlooked the bay. My life was constantly filled with family, fun and food. Many of my relatives lived surrounding my grandparents on or near the bay. I suppose the reason for it was because most were involved with my grandparents, working at their fish house, but to me it was just that all the families were enjoying each other. Often at these picnics, there would be roasted oysters and large bay clams which had been gathered by some of the men. Washtubs of oysters and clams were spilled out on the grill that was placed over a trench full of fire. When the heat steamed them open, they were then ready to be eaten. Hot sauce was generously poured on the succulent delicacies. That is a memory that I’ll not soon forget. White washed picnic tables lined the waterfront and were full with my grandfather’s smoked mullet and my grandmother’s potato salad along with other family recipes. The gentle bay winds blew across the front yard and rustled the cabbage palm branches that surrounded my grandparent’s house. Sun shined brightly through the tall pines and danced across the picnic tables: life was good. I was fascinated by the bay and the smell of salt- water, seaweed, and marine life that always seemed a part of the constant breeze that blew over the land. The vast part of my paintings have water as a primary part of the composition, and in looking back into my childhood, I no longer wonder why that is the case.”